Greenwich

Greenwich's population expanded in the decade leading up to the most recent census. At the same time there were changes in ethnicity, housing tenure and relationships.

The population passed quarter of a million

In the decade leading up to the most recent census, the population of Greenwich increased by 19%, from just over 214,000 to 255,000.

The addition of just over 40,000 people means this area's population increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Greenwich was home to, on average, 38 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was higher than the average across London

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across London, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

A younger Greenwich

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Greenwich decreased by one year, from 34 to 33 years.

This urban area had a slightly higher average age than London and remained younger than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The fall in age was because of an increase of just under 8,700 people between the ages of 30 and 39 years, while the population over the age of 80 years decreased by almost 2,000.

About 18% of people in Greenwich are aged between 30 and 39 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Greenwich by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Ethnicity in Greenwich

The number of people in Greenwich from the White ethnic groups increased from about 170,000 in 2001 to just under 160,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 77% to 62% of the local population.

The percentage decreased by more than the average across London (from 71% to 60%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Greenwich from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups increased from just under 24,000 in 2001 to about 49,000 in 2011 (from 11% to 19%). The number of residents from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from just over 17,000 to about 30,000 (from 8.0% to 12%).

Just over 12,000 people (2.7%) said they were from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed), up from just under 5,900 in 2001 (4.8%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Greenwich decreased by 15 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Greenwich by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Greenwich that rented privately increased from 10.0% to 20% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

In 2011, just over one in three (34%) households lived in social housing, compared with 39% in 2001. The percentage of Greenwich households that owner their home decreased from 49% to 43%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased here at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of London (from 15% in 2001 to 25% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Greenwich increased by 9.8 percentage points

Percentage of households in Greenwich, London and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer people living alone

The percentage of single-person households fell in Greenwich at a faster rate than in nearby Lewisham.

In Greenwich, the proportion of single-person households decreased from 37% in 2001 to 32% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion in Lewisham decreased from 35% to 34%.

Across London, the share of single-person households decreased from 35% to 32%.

The percentage of households with a cohabiting couple in Greenwich increased from 8.1% to 9.6%, while the percentage of households with a married couple increased from 26% to 27%.

The percentage of households with only a single-person was higher than across London

Percentage of households that that comprised only a single person across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Greenwich residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 9.4% to 5.4% in the decade to 2011.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (83%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 68% in 2001. The percentage of Greenwich residents that described their health as fair decreased from 22% to 12%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of London (from 8.3% in 2001 to 5.0% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Greenwich decreased by 4 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Greenwich, London and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

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